The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) looks forward to seeing the province of Ilocos Norte grow and develop into a “smart community” now that a Special Economic Zone Institute (SEZI) is now accessible for all Ilocanos.

Located in a small corner at the newly-inaugurated National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC) of the MMSU in its main campus in Batac City, the establishment of SEZI is one of the biggest projects of PEZA to provide skills training and research to make every Filipino a world-class worker.

During the January 23 signing of memorandum of agreement between PEZA and MMSU held at the university’s hostel, PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said “more ecozones are being created now to promote investment throughout the world for export industries.

“Let us transform the Philippines as an investment haven and transform every Filipino to become multi-skilled. So, we are inviting all institutions, including the indigenous peoples to open up economic zones, develop our idle lands and create hundred and thousand jobs for all Filipinos,” said Plaza as she lauded the leadership of MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis for being the first SUC in the country to establish a SEZI.

For his part, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc expressed hopes to have more ecozones to be established in the province.

“I hope this will go a long way for Ilocos Norte to become more business-friendly,” said Manotoc as he administered the oath of office of the newly-formed SEZI council to oversee its operations.

After the signing, members of the newly-formed Special Economic Zone Institute Council took their oath of office. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Agrupis said the university proposed at least three ecozone initiatives to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) last year.

These include the transformation of the MMSU College of Aquatic Science and Applied Technology (CASAT) in Currimao as an aquamarine zone, the conversion of the university's forest reserve plantations in Brgy. Payao in Batac City as an agroforestry zone, and the creation of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology Park inside the 300-hectare university main campus in Batac City.

Republic Act No. 7916 or the Special Ecozone Act of 1995 mandates the PEZA to provide employment opportunities for the Filipinos, increase their productivity and income, especially those in the rural areas through the establishment of SEZI of various types in suitable and strategic locations in the country, and through a measure that shall effectively attract legitimate and productive investments.

Creating SEZI is one of the important programs under the stewardship of PEZA. The aims to enhance partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), LGUs, and industry associations to make Filipinos become multi-skilled, rich human capital, and become world-class workers.

It will also provide professional, technical, and vocational training that matches the manpower needs of foreign and domestic industries in order to attract more investors to the country; and promote export-oriented investments and increase productivity and income in the countryside.